Peel Community Foundation

Peel Community Foundation · Nov 2026

Peel's Professional Advisers believe in giving. They just rarely talk about it.

Key findings from 22 local Accountants, Lawyers, Financial Advisers and other professionals surveyed Sept–Nov 2026, set against the 2025 national study of 109 Professional Advisers.

86%

personally support local charities with time or money

64%

have heard of Peel Community Foundation

52%

haven't referred a client to a philanthropy specialist (e.g. a community foundation or giving adviser), but would if they knew who to refer to

68%

discussed philanthropy with clients rarely or never last year

Conversations

Fewer conversations than the national picture

Peel 2026 (n=22) National 2025 (n=109)
Discuss philanthropy rarely or never
68%
61%
Discuss with more than half of clients
18%
16%
Not at all concerned about commercial impact
65%
82%

Peel advisers are slightly less likely than advisers nationally to raise philanthropy, and a little more wary of commercial impact.

When giving does come up, it's mostly through estate planning and family legacy conversations (10 of 22 each), and the client is as likely to raise it as the adviser.

After a conversation, 10 continue exploring it with the client. Only 1 refers on to another organisation.

Attitudes

Positive about giving, but far less certain than advisers nationally

Share who agree or strongly agree. Peel advisers agree less with every positive statement. The biggest gaps are confidence, seeing giving as a business opportunity, and as part of planning. They're also less likely to say clients wouldn't be interested.

Peel 2026 (n=22) National 2025 (n=109)
I view philanthropy positively
68%
93%
I feel confident discussing giving with clients
41%
70%
Asking about philanthropy helps me understand goals
36%
69%
It's a good business opportunity
14%
54%
Giving is an important part of planning
14%
41%
Most clients wouldn't be interested
23%
39%
I consider myself an expert
5%
20%
Clients expect me to raise it
14%
18%
Talking about giving isn't part of my role
19%
14%
Only relevant above $5m in assets
9%
6%

Barriers

Knowledge, boundaries and time hold advisers back

Peel 2026 (n=22) National 2025 (n=109)
Lack of training or knowledge on structures
36%
51%
Fear of overstepping my role
32%
36%
Not knowing experts to refer clients to
18%
33%
Lack of commercial benefit
9%
12%

Barriers reported in Peel without a national equivalent figure:

Concern giving isn't in client's interest
32%
Ethical concerns about raising it
32%
Time constraints
32%

What would help

Experts, training and practical tools

Access to philanthropy experts
45%
CPD-accredited training
41%
Tools for client conversations
36%
Educational resources
32%
Professional networking
27%
Public recognition
18%

Top knowledge gaps (9 of 22 each): charity due diligence, giving structures such as PAFs and sub-funds, and helping clients identify their values.

Several advisers asked specifically for information on local needs, showing where clients' money could make a difference in Peel.

Nationally, over half of advisers also said resources, training, tools and access to experts would help, the same pattern.

The opportunity

Create a trusted Philanthropy Education and Referral Hub.

Possible next steps